Welcome to the BROW. This week I’m starting off with some info that is slightly “off the map”, so feel free to skip the write-up and just check out the tune, if you are so inclined. If, on the other hand, you bear with me and read on, the background that follows will give some insight into the unique theme of the music. I promise.

David English had the privilege of serving as president of RSO Records at the early age of 27. He managed The Bee Gees, did press for The Rolling Stones, Tom Jones and Dionne Warwick. In the 1980′s, David became involved in writing a series of cartoon books called The Bunburys (named after his cricket team). The characters (yes, called Bunburys) were a team of rabbit cricket players, and the stories were designed to encourage playing cricket and general good sportsmanship. When David told Barry Gibb (of The Bee Gees) about his idea to write these books, Barry teamed up with David to write a song about the characters called We’re The Bunburys. This was recorded and issued on a single (credited to The Bunbury’s, but was really The Bee Gees) that accompanied the first book. That was the start of it all. There were additional cartoons and music, including a second Bunbury’s single called Fight (No Matter How Long) that featured Eric Clapton on lead guitar. On October 5, 1992 a CD was released compiling the Bunbury-inspired music called The Bunbury Tails and features tunes not only by The Bee Gees and the Clapper, but also Elton John, George Harrison and a few others. The Bunbury Tails was an obscure UK-only release that went out of print very quickly.

George Harrison’s contribution to The Bunbury Tails is concerning the Indian Bunbury cricket-bunny Rajbun. George co-wrote Ride Rajbun with his son Dhani, who, at the time, was only about 9 or 10 years old. This was somewhat appropriate though, given that it is children’s music. It’s Indian-influence is enhanced by the amazing Ravi Shankar playing sitar. Dhani can also be heard on backing vocals. This track has not been re-issued since the very limited release of the CD, 18 year ago, and given that it is as intriguing as it is obscure, I thought it a good candidate for BROW. Enjoy…

The Bunbury Tails CD, released Oct. 5, 1992

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